Jiu-Jitsu Basics | How & Why to Breakfall

Breakfalls are extremely important in practicing Jiu-Jitsu & Judo. The help to develop body awareness, improve movement and mobility and to prevent injury. In this video I show common and helpful breakfalls and proper standing.
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[@sunhoyoon3474]

i'm just a skateboarder trying to learn how to fall better after i sprained my ankle real bad but this helps thanks dude

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

I really hope these can help!

[@quenvanwijk]

Lol me too, but this is for when you’re going very slow, i think at speed it’s better to roll or slide it out.

[@obadala]

Respect

[@adriano1309]

nice same

[@kmiranda322]

If you learn one thing from martial arts this is probably the most important… learning to fall is just so crucial

[@markmiller8746]

Happiest jiu jistu Dad moment I ever had was watching my daughter hit a beautiful breakfall after an awkward collision in ice hockey. I was duly proud and thankful. She popped right up without any issues and she didn't even remember doing it; it was just a reaction on her part.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

That is awesome!!

[@zebanon5]

My happiest jiu jitsu pizza moment was when I wiped out on ice while carrying pizza and was able to breakfall without flipping my pizza.

[@GalenWill]

@@zebanon5 That pizza is awesome!!

[@mattmgarza]

Back Fall 0:58 Standing in Base/Technical Stand-Up 2:27 Side Fall 2:51 Rollouts (Introduction) 4:09 Judo Style Roll Out 4:38 Jiu Jitsu Style Roll Out 5:24 Closing Remarks 6:10

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Wow! Thank you for the index!!!

[@mattmgarza]

Knight Jiu-Jitsu it's one small way to hopefully give back. I am a struggling blue belt and I just discovered you, but your mount escapes video has been very helpful to me. I've watched a lot of BJJ Curriculum videos and I like that yours are similar--showing multiple moves in a video. I'll try to do a few more indexes...indices.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Well, I truly appreciate it. My plate is very full, and it is something I would love to do, but just don't usually get around to it. Thank you again!

[@ThoughtProvokingVlogs]

Thank you! I was just about to do this. You saved my butt!

[@Mia82978]

@@KnightJiuJitsu You might want to put these time-stamps in the description but with the stamps starting from 0:00, like „introduction“ or sth. That way it adds timelines in the play bar of the video which is super helpful!

[@timmorenz9838]

Steve Maxwell cites statistics that one of the leading causes of death in people over 50 is falling. This skill improves mobility, incites relaxation, improves neuroplasticity and could very well save a life! I practice falling nearly every day. Eli thank you for this important lesson. Keep up the amazing work!

[@georgesakopoulos8110]

Excellent comment, respect from Athens Greece

[@williamwilkins8022]

Honestly, this is the one part of martial arts that's really something I think everyone should learn. It's something you'll almost certainly use to save you from injury in your life, perhaps the next year. I've slipped over on black ice from standing whilst drunk and walked away without the slightest pain.

[@spartansquid5931]

In parkour with the forward roll you do at the very end, we’re taught to never come up on our knee as it’s very damaging on a hard surface, instead you come up right on your feet in a crouching position, and we typically keep our hands together while we roll, both hands basically trying to make a triangle/arrow shape with the space between the hands, thumbs together, just a little bit past the side of our knee on the outside of our body.

[@neologian1783]

I studied martial art that utilizes that final roll A LOT and have performed it on every surface you can imagine without issue. The key detail is that you really aren't rolling up onto your knee. You are actually keeping that bottom leg tucked and rolling over the entire length of your lower leg/calf/shin area which is is pretty tolerant of hard surfaces.

[@mojowibble]

Learning this when I was a kid saved me from serious injury in a mountain biking accident, my nephew asked me about Jiu-Jitsu today, I said that was the first thing I'd teach him (he's very young).

[@moniquebeastie]

Thank you for this breakdown. These were critical topics I needed to know (but didn't) as a 2 month old white belt.

[@memaa1739]

@@emperorjimmu9941 😂😂😂😂😂

[@timmorenz9838]

As a judo black belt, I approve this message!

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Awesome! I appreciate it greatly, sir!

[@ninjamaster7724]

As a bjj 1 stripe white belt,i also approve this message 😁

[@carlbilodeau9163]

As an Aikido Yondan, I approve this message as well. Judo ukemi is the best.

[@obadala]

As a judo 0 stripe white belt, what's up,

[@JonathanS995]

As a fellow who trains in MMA I appreciate it ☺️

[@robertdeleon2267]

As someone who recently started teaching bjj and judo I watch your videos all the time to help me with students as well as myself. 👍👍

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

That’s awesome to hear!

[@Sr.D]

Great video as always, I'm Judo brown belt and Jiu Jitsu white belt and in the rolling breakfall in my Judo club we do it like protecting your head with your arm, i mean you wrap your arm around your head, the general movement it's the same but it's like a helmet, it's just a little detail but it's because that way you protect your neck and head, I'm not sure if I'm explaining myself it's a very simple thing but very important, later on you fall on your side or keep rolling and stand up. Jiu Jitsu+Judo for the win!

[@donalddenton8135]

Once you learn how to do these falls correctly, the muscle memory stays with you. I learned these falls in 1966 - 2019 in Liberia I took an unexpected fall to my left side and executed a side fall that prevented injury to my hand-wrist-hip. My Sensi in 1966 made us spend an entire month learning these falls...and then tossed us around like rag dolls until he was satisfied we wouldn't get hurt...two more months...before teaching us the basic foot sweeps and shoulder throws.

[@aaronrio4271]

I actually use the techniques for skateboarding, learning how to fall is very important and this helped me a ton, thanks.

[@tedro7870]

It looks so easy but yesterday I took my first class and damn I can't even fall from a squat, let alone while standing..

[@nallinirehna7602]

I feel you🤣🤣🤣

[@peanutbutler3078]

Don't worry it took me almost year to master it. I wasn't focusing on it and hated being the uke. Now it's the opposite practice makes perfect.

[@Man_in_a_Van]

Hahaha. Me either🤣

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Lel

[@kendallrxse]

Same I did so bad in my class for break falls so I feel uuuu

[@anthonymartinez1333]

Please more Jiu Jitsu Basics! Great video, thank you!

[@CM-oy2kd]

As a hood street fighter. I mos def approve this message

[@kaebogtimater]

you classify yourself as a hood street fighter? nice, grow up kid and stop watching too much tv

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@kaebogtimater lmaooo you didn't have to do my man like that

[@obiwankenobi6655]

💀

[@napata]

Like you said, often overlooked, but oh is it important to know.

[@jakebrown9379]

I really enjoy the technical details of your videos. I watch frequently and am always able to incorporate the techniques into my next roll. Thank you sir

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Thank you so much!

[@justinphilpott]

I gotta say that when I see the back fall and the side falls, they look great for use on the mat (and I did note you indicated something else may be better for concrete) but for real world unexpected falls they have a critical flaw - lack of head protection. When falling on concrete or almost anywhere unexpectedly covering the head is no. 1 priority, number two is developing the ability to progressively meet the floor/surface/terrain/whatever is there, and spread the energy of your fall gradually until you have fully dissipated it and are at rest. I've learned these skills from contact dance and also from training myself to protect the head after a nasty fall on concrete while training kung fu.

[@codinginflow]

Thank you, that was really helpful

[@mikecarinum3032]

Awesome Eli! This is such an important lesson that you explain really well. I will use it tomorrow with the beginners. Thanks for sharing!

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

It’s such an easy one to overlook and neglect. Thank you!

[@joseundurraga9248]

I was exactly looking for this lesson, thanks a lot!!

[@duckmcfly6416]

Great instrunctional,i banged my elbow drilling sweeps in muay thai..will be using this next time

[@Coffeeandchillz]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@Volaron]

0:36 Backwards Breakfall 2:50 Side Fall 4:09 Forward Fall

[@JonesGamesAndCombat]

This is really helpful I do a bit of jujitsu BJJ and MMA and this helps

[@donaldmackerer9032]

I appreciate the reason why for a break fall.

[@leevinson]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@harshsrivastava3079]

Sir you are the remarkable I'm Indian but i getting easier... thanks...

[@renatoruiz8534]

Thanks for the video. I'm teaching my son this after watching a boy in his karate class break his wrist in sparring.

[@rudai123]

Great video. Thanks!

[@gregdaniels1559]

Great video and breakdown

[@Combatinho]

Love your channel, but some constructive criticism from someone who has taught judo / jjj for 20 years and bjj for 13. Back breakfall genie arm cross decreases chance of reaching back better than arms forward. Also, I like the back breakfall into standup, but a couple of pointers on standing up. First, your foot is better off to replace the hand then go behind your other leg. Doing this puts you in a staggered stance like a boxer vs an inline stance like karate. Also, you should never stand up by looking at the ground this equals no awareness while standing. Look at your opponent. Ryan Hall has the best thoughts on that on his video. Last when you perform the "judo" style of forward breakfall, the straightened leg should be bent and the other leg, the one with the foot flat on the floor, should have a landing on the ball of the foot. Each foot and ankle contain 26 bones and 33 joints and more than 100 muscles this take up more of the impact vs jarring the ankle, knee, and hip. Back to the back breakfall, slapping your hands on the mat do not take up impact energy, do it with and without doing so and you will see what I mean. OSS

[@hard2hurt]

Dammit Eli we were working on this video.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Well, now you can watch mine and improve on it. I left out so much!

[@hard2hurt]

Knight Jiu-Jitsu nah you got most of what I was going to say... you know I was just going to swear a lot.

[@shanecool100]

You have that gift 🎁, which is the ‘teaching’

[@markanthonybrowne]

Some great points and nice narration. For the falls where the person lands on their side, (e.g. 3.56, 5.15) I was wondering whether having a straighter leg and more vertically orientated toes would help a larger proportion of the force from the floor to transfer into the leg-muscles rather than the joints of the knee, ankle and toes? Thanks for posting the video and allowing comments.

[@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia]

In addition, there is an "all is lost" technique my dad taught me from Jujitsu when I was real little. The reason why it was "all is lost" is because it was for occupations and activities where you could fall from a very high perch or height. So, what you do is to NEVER stick your hand out palm down to stop a fall. You're gonna fall and that's okay. That's standard. But when your head is unprotected, you may not be able to tuck it and keep it off the ground, so you make a natural helmet and sacrifice your elbow to save your life. I survived an horrific bicycle fall in 1998 by doing what he taught me. Crushed my elbow but no head injury AT ALL. He worked on high buildings and needed to learn life saving techniques. As for "the slap," I used it last week when I foolishly walked around at night in the pitch blackness. I didn't know where in the room I was when I fell, but my dad's teachings caused me to slap the ground and NOTHING on me got hurt! Absolutely nothing. And I am over 50 with premature osteoporosis. No injuries. My dad is unwell, but not from a collision type injury. He worked at a physical job till age 87, and he's still fighting for life. Jujitsu is LIFE, man! 👍❤️ My dad's name is Eli.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Excellent. Thank you so much for the comment and much respect to you and your father.

[@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia]

@@KnightJiuJitsu Many thanks. I will do my best to let him know.

[@niceguywinning]

at apx 2:17 you say that you wouldn't use the break fall on concrete. In my experience, it's been helpful for my own falls on concrete, but why wouldn't you use a break fall on that surface and what would you do instead? Oh and very nice video - thank you for making and sharing it.

[@Joeyace665]

Thanks Eli 👍

[@zhenglin364]

I am not sure , but some one said about back fall , your legs should be at about 45 degree, and side fall, two legs positions nearly at same line or be closer

[@densetsudrawings6272]

amazing explanations

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Thanks!

[@j0elxb]

Great video!

[@jordibruvandellos4715]

Thanks. More vídeos. Gracias

[@wm6549]

Thank you

[@enggarmuhammad6433]

Really great video m8, make me understand more.

[@tylerheerdt6438]

New to bjj, bout a month in. I was working single legs with a Judo guy, he got the single, swept my back leg, and I slammed so fast on the mat I could hardly believe it. Then, my coach pokes his head up from a private lesson and yells "BREAKFALL" lol

[@pajilladelacruz563]

Yestady was my first class (I’m 5’9 & 300lbs) and it was fellas hard to fall in the right way. I was ashamed of myself :( but I will keep trying.

[@jacobedmonds3849]

Keep at it brother

[@m.a.central9949]

Great stuff.

[@AjaychinuShah]

Keep spitting on Vasudevbaikutum. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@wattlebough]

Nice.

[@xleftoverpizzax]

I feel special, I was the 1,000th like lol

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

You are special. Thank you!

[@aminaoruc7141]

I do karate and I ❤break fall

[@jiujitsudianopolis5]

very good its

[@aldirbjorn1483]

thanks..

[@drektar7736]

woah, this is very much different

[@ztormur6504]

thanks !

[@Ne202xus]

Here after dislocating my shoulder😅

[@mikehunt9064]

Thanks bro

[@tristanclaxton9329]

What's another way to dissipate the affects of the throw or impact if you can get your hand down ?

[@jeffvimpeny7693]

Anytime you come to Florida for a seminar please update.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Absolutely! I hope to in the near future.

[@SomeOne-wl6wp]

Learned 1 year Jiu Jitsu ,this fall technique saved my life . Crashed my bike with another cyclist in front of me (came from 90° dead angle curve) flow 6 meters and rolled 2. 5:11 I was a good student but to much sex jokes were involved :D Other than that I was just interested in the selfdefense aspect and techniques . Im a believer of "you need one good punch or very good attention to your surroundings" JJ and Judo doesnt gave me that . After some other MArtial Arts ...now Im doing nothing :(

[@hooperman2008]

What advice could you give to someone older than lost his confident and feel some fear to injure making front rollout?

[@redrizzla1989]

Science question: How does slapping the mat actually decrease the impact from your ass and back hitting the mat, if your ass and back hit the mat before your hands? Also, same question but without the "How" at the start.

[@BecozPro]

Can you explain the rationale of the Judo style forward roll where you land on your side as opposed to the full forward roll?

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

The Judo style is imitative of many falls you will take from many common throws. In my opinion, it is far superior in application and usefulness to practice than the other way.

[@mattrwhite]

my understanding is that training to always roll to standing (which I think you're asking about), could create a habit in which you always stand from a roll. If you are dealing with multiple attackers, your momentum may have you standing right into another attack. Training with both standing and recovering into newaza guard keeps from developing a "habit" and gives you the defensive option.

[@johnhagebeuk8]

Do you have some advise on protecting your chest for impact of incoming knees while defending a side mount? I injured my ribs on this issue because i exhaled while this guy wanted to get me on my back

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Can you specify a little more? The incoming knees - were they from a guard replacement attempt from the guy on bottom side?

[@johnhagebeuk8]

Knight Jiu-Jitsu i was at the bottom on my back and i tryed an hipescape so i turned to the side and the guy jumped a little bit up and wanted to move in to a side mount but landed with his knee on the top side of my chest while i exhaled

[@sne4617]

I used to be pretty good at this after learning martial arts. It really helps against the dangers of falling.

[@mr.hunter1065]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@emilyhops2566]

What hits the mat first, my back and then my arms, or my arms and then my back?

[@josiahbholahillaire3574]

I used to train in judo twenty years ago and I need to relearn how to fall. I have an interest in jiu-jitsu, but I have a bad back and neck. How can I learn how fall again?

[@jenky1865]

comment to help out w/ the algorithms!

[@conor-_C]

on side fall what part of body are you landing on first

[@raphaelmoraczewski8805]

the older you get the more break falls you should do.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Agreed 🙏🙏🙏

[@CottonBoxer]

what do we do on concrete/asphalt etc. ? real world is where we need to up our game. even on grass/ground ;like parks and play grounds. what's best ?

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Good question because these aren’t the same for different surfaces. The concepts are consistent though, and basically it just comes down to the slap. When you slap the mat on matted surfaces, it helps. I would avoid that on concrete or harder surfaces though.

[@jebushwplainview9453]

Ive been training for a year... I dont think ill ever learn to properly take a throw

[@marcosbatista3904]

Would you ever come to South Jersey?

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

I would love to if anyone would be up for hosting a seminar 👍👍

[@jonathancetroni1611]

I am making journal

[@adilbekramadan2038]

🖒👍

[@Whaddayamean13]

Can I use this if I jump off a building?

[@slimetime7488]

his pants make it look like his knees are super low lmao

[@源萧]

Thanks for the video, my grandmom don't stand a chance to win against me

[@epicmathius1]

I do that on wrestling tho

[@hotredtiger316]

Is the Judo roll out good for training when on the receiving end of overhead throws?

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

Absolutely! It is almost exactly how you land from many throws.

[@MrJetlagfever]

sit on heels . that helps . thanks

[@xGuiZ]

should i do this if i get thrown in a street fight? i shouldn't, right?

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

I wouldn’t recommend slapping if it’s not on the mats, but otherwise the elements of break falls are consistent.

[@victormorena1830]

Raise your hand if your here cause of tua

[@jadeshadows5199]

i can't even do a basic normal roll LMAO

[@fp1402]

This type of "break fall" is a product of "the way we've always done it" type of teaching. Slapping the ground instead of using your hands to protect your head is a tradition that needs to go away. I guarantee that Eli was taught to "break fall" this way (so was I). However, this is definitely NOT how trained/experienced people fall during a fight even though they were likely taught to break fall like this (slap the ground). If someone pushes/trips you to the ground the very last thing you want to do is move your arms to your side and slap the ground, or maybe concrete, especially if they are trying to jump on top of you and hurt you. You can easily prove this next time you train by having someone push you down and quickly try to get on top of you. See if you take that valuable split second and move your arms off to your side and slap the ground. I promise you won't actually do this.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

I mention in the video that this isn’t how you would want to fall on concrete. For matted surfaces, from typical Judo throws and takedowns, these are preferable. For self defense, things change a lot.

[@michaelw7867]

Great very clear explanation, thanks.